Principles for lawyers dealing with offshore structures published – Legal Futures

‘International standards for lawyers advising on offshore commercial structures have been put forward at the same time as parliamentarians called for stronger laws on foreign ownership of UK property.’

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Legal Futures, 20th May 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

UK property register ‘needed urgently’ to stop money laundering – The Guardian

‘Proposals for the first register of foreign-owned property aimed at preventing “McMafia-style” money laundering should be put in practice urgently and reinforced to plug potential loopholes, the government has been told.’

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The Guardian, 20th May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

MPs call for inquiry into how family courts treat rape and abuse survivors – The Guardian

‘More than 120 MPs have called for the family courts to be opened up to greater scrutiny and for those who father children through rape to be denied parental rights.’

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The Guardian, 15th May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Call for curbs on Lord Chancellor’s power over online rule committee – Legal Futures

‘A future Lord Chancellor could impose “quite radical changes” on the court system unless changes are made to the Courts and Tribunals (Online Procedure) Bill, peers have warned.’

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Legal Futures, 16th May 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Councils to have statutory duty to deliver support in secure accommodation for survivors of domestic abuse – Local Government Lawyer

‘Councils are to be legally required for the first time to deliver support in secure accommodation for survivors of domestic abuse, the Government has announced.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 13th May 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

PM vows to end postcode lottery for domestic abuse victims

‘The prime minister has vowed to end the postcode lottery for those escaping domestic abuse.’

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The Guardian, 13th May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mordaunt hints at amnesty for historical actions by UK soldiers – The Guardian

Posted May 10th, 2019 in armed forces, bills, news, Northern Ireland, time limits by sally

‘The new defence secretary, Penny Mordaunt, declared that army veterans should not be “pursued unfairly for events that took place decades ago” hinting that she favoured an amnesty for British soldiers from historical prosecutions.’

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The Guardian, 9th May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Assisted suicide: Paul Lamb renews bid for right to die – BBC News

‘A man who lives with chronic and excruciating pain has begun a fresh legal challenge to the law that criminalises assisted suicide.’

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BBC News, 7th May 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Even more people set to benefit from online court reform – Ministry of Justice

‘New legislation making it even easier for court users to apply for small money claims or divorce online was unveiled in the House of Lords today (1 May 2019).’

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 1st May 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Meet The Campaigners Behind The UK’s First Social And Economic Rights Bill – Rights Info

Posted April 26th, 2019 in bills, brexit, consultations, EC law, education, health, housing, human rights, news by sally

‘Two years ago, human rights campaigners Koldo Casla and Peter Roderick first discussed creating a bill enshrining social and economic rights in the UK. With a draft version now out for consultation, their vision is creeping closer to reality. Ella Braidwood finds out more.’

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Rights Info, 25th April 2019

Source: rightsinfo.org

Upskirting now a crime after woman’s campaign – BBC News

‘Upskirting is now a criminal offence in England and Wales after a campaign by a woman targeted at a music festival.’

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BBC News, 12th April 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

No-fault divorce law coming ‘as soon as parliamentary time allows’ – The Guardian

Posted April 9th, 2019 in bills, divorce, news, parliament by sally

‘Legislation for no-fault divorce will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time becomes available to end the “blame game” in marital breakdowns, the justice secretary has pledged.’

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The Guardian, 9th April 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Extremism definition fails Clarkson test: Government gave up on laws to fight ideology because it’s ‘too difficult’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 9th, 2019 in bills, legislative drafting, news, terrorism by sally

‘The Government has abandoned creating laws to tackle extremism because it is “too difficult” as their last attempt would have even criminalised Jeremy Clarkson, the former reviewer of terrorism laws has said.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th April 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Could ministerial advice to the Queen to prorogue Parliament or to refuse assent to a Parliamentary Bill be challenged in the courts? – Brexit Law

‘This post continues the debate that has arisen following recent Parliamentary efforts to seize the initiative from the Government to avoid a no-deal Brexit, in particular the Cooper- Letwin Bill, and certain proposals that have emerged by which it is suggested the Government could thwart these efforts.’

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Brexit Law, 8th April 2019

Source: brexit.law

Home Office limit on support for slavery victims may be unlawful, court rules – The Guardian

‘A high court judge has ruled that Home Office policy to cut off all statutory support to people six weeks after they have been formally identified as victims of slavery is potentially unlawful, ordering that assistance must immediately be extended.’

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The Guardian, 29th March 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

How far should family law reflect modern family life? The case of cohabitation, equal civil partnerships and the common law marriage myth – Transparency Project

Posted March 27th, 2019 in bills, civil partnerships, cohabitation, equality, families, marriage, news, statistics by sally

‘There is no longer just one way of ‘doing’ family in modern Britain. With much greater gender equality and social acceptance of different family forms, how we organise family life and our personal relationships has changed considerably in recent times. In some ways, the law in England and Wales has kept pace with change – same-sex civil partnerships in 2004 and same-sex marriage in 2013 are shining examples of progressive legislative landmarks. Yet we have witnessed clear policy reluctance to offer legal protection to opposite-sex couples who reject marriage, despite Law Commission recommendations in 2007 and despite many other countries including Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand having reformed their cohabitation law.’

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Transparency Project, 26th March 2019

Source: www.transparencyproject.org.uk

Opposite sex civil partnerships – Religion & Law UK

Posted March 26th, 2019 in bills, civil partnerships, marriage, news by sally

‘On 15 March, the Commons considered and agreed to the Lords Amendments to Tim Loughton’s Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration Etc.) Bill, which now goes for Royal Assent. We noted that “at some point … the Government will bring forward proposals for a digital registration system and will be introducing Regulations for opposite sex civil partnerships”. Many (other) commentators were quick to suggest that the changes relating to civil partnerships, marriage certificates, &c had already been incorporated within the law. However, an examination of the Bill documents reveals that it is comprised of enabling provisions, and additional secondary legislation is necessary before any of its provisions pass into law.’

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Religion & Law UK, 26th March 2019

Source: www.lawandreligionuk.com

Alexandra Sinclair and Joe Tomlinson: Brexit, Primary Legislation, and Statutory Instruments: Everything in Its Right Place? – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted March 26th, 2019 in bills, brexit, news, parliament, regulations by sally

‘Legislation to enable Brexit is progressing through Parliament. This includes the Immigration and Social Security Bill, the Fisheries Bill, the Financial Services (Implementation of Legislation) Bill, and the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill. One curious aspect of this raft of new law is that, at the same time these Bills are making their way through Parliament, statutory instruments (SIs) addressing some of the very same subject matters are also being laid. While this approach may find justification in some contexts, we argue in this post that the particular way this is being executed in some circumstances seems broadly at odds with the Government’s own stated approach to the process.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 25th March 2019

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Smacking children to be banned in Wales – The Guardian

Posted March 25th, 2019 in assault, bills, child cruelty, children, families, news, Wales by sally

‘Parents are to be banned from physically punishing children under legislation being introduced on Monday by the Welsh government.’

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The Guardian, 25th March 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Government backed Stalking Protection Bill receives Royal Assent – Home Office

Posted March 18th, 2019 in bills, press releases, stalking by sally

‘A new civil order that will help protect victims of stalking has received Royal Assent today, and is included as part of the government’s wider commitments to tackle violence against women and girls.’

Full press release

Home Office, 15th March 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office